Arsenal have strongly opposed Crystal Palace’s request that their [Carabao Cup quarter-final](https://footballtoday.com/2025/10/30/efl-cup-quarter-final-draw-arsenal-land-palace-chelsea-face-trip-to-cardiff/) be played on 23 December.
Mikel Arteta’s side are set to meet their London rivals on December 16, but that would leave the Eagles facing three fixtures in just five days.
Oliver Glasner’s men have a Premier League match at home to Manchester City on December 14 and then a Conference League fixture against KuPS on 18 December.
Palace seek to move their Carabao Cup game with Arsenal to the following week, possibly on December 23.
But the Gunners want the Emirates Stadium clash to remain on December 16.
[Arteta said](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/oct/31/arsenal-oppose-crystal-palaces-unfair-request-to-play-carabao-cup-tie-on-23-december): “I don’t think that is fair (if the match is rescheduled) because we have other competitions as well.
“We knew at the start of the season the competitions that each club is playing in, so on balance we have to try to accommodate the best possible way for everybody.”
Asked whether 23 December could be an option, he said: “No, there are others. There are others, believe me, there are other options much better than this one. We already suggested that.”
Arsenal sit four points clear at the league summit after winning five of their last six Premier League matches.
Arteta featured a second-string side against Brighton & Hove Albion in midweek’s League Cup fixture, but they still won 2-0 after goals from Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal have fallen short in their pursuit of the league title in recent years, but they have an excellent opportunity this campaign.
The North Londoners bid to extend their lead at the top when they face Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
The Clarets are in a buoyant mood at the moment, having beaten Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers in their previous two top-flight games.
But the Gunners have never lost at Burnley’s home ground in the Premier League, and given their impressive run, they are unlikely to do so this weekend.